Jury Finds Burnett Guilty of Illegal Possession of Firearm, Ammunition

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Joshua Burnett guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. With the verdict, Burnett faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison, with the potential for a higher sentence if found to be a Habitual Felony Offender. Burnett still faces a charge of Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer in this case that will be tried separately. The Honorable London Kite will sentence Burnett at a later date.

On Jan. 24, 2022, an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was preparing to serve Burnett with multiple arrest warrants as Burnett was leaving a home on Oliver Street South. Burnett turned onto University Boulevard, and the officer attempted to follow the suspect until other patrol units and K9 officers could arrive and help conduct a traffic stop. However, Burnett began driving recklessly into oncoming traffic and at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren, yet Burnett did not pull over. Burnett led officers on a chase, and eventually, the officer was able to conduct a maneuver to stop Burnett’s car. Other patrol units were able to block Burnett in on University Boulevard and Los Santos Road. Officers arrested Burnett and recovered a firearm from the back of the passenger seat and multiple magazines on the floorboard of the front passenger seat. Burnett is a previously convicted felon and is not legally allowed to possess a firearm or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Shaina Ruth and Lee Wingard.